Is Where You Find It
Huge fortunes were won and lost during the Gold Rush. Most of the money was made in land speculation and services provided for the miners. Few of the men who actually toiled for gold made lasting fortunes. Even when they found large quantities of gold, they were swiftly parted from their fortunes. Who became rich? Just about everyone else—storekeepers, riverboat captains, women of ill repute, laundry workers, card dealers and more. The list goes on. Here are a few short tales of some of the men who did succeed.